Microbiota Test

The intestinal microbiota – also known as the bacterial flora – is a true organ, consisting of a community of symbiotic microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, viruses, and protists) that reside in the gastrointestinal tract. It houses 80% of our immune system, can weigh almost 1.5 kg, and has a unique composition in every individual, like fingerprints.

The role of a healthy microbiota is to maintain physiological and metabolic well-being, contributing to proper digestion, the success of nutritional and pharmacological therapies, and preventing the onset of obesity, type II diabetes, metabolic syndrome, inflammatory bowel diseases, diverticula, colorectal cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, and allergies.

There are also particular conditions in which this analysis can guide a precise therapeutic approach.

• • in case of intestinal symptoms such as irritable bowel syndrome, recurrent diarrhea, constipation, flatulence, and intestinal discomfort, to develop successful therapeutic approaches;
• • in case of overweight or obesity, to complement nutritional strategies for weight loss and the subsequent maintenance of a healthy weight;
• • during crucial phases of human life, such as childhood and aging, during which maintaining a healthy microbiota can help prevent allergies and limit the effects of immunosenescence and the inflammatory states typical of aging;
• • during pregnancy and breastfeeding, when maintaining a healthy microbial profile is important not only for one’s own well-being but also to support the establishment of a balanced microbiota in the newborn, which develops from the maternal one;
• • at the onset of menopause, when a healthy microbiota helps to better cope with the major metabolic and physiological changes that follow;
• • in case of urogenital tract disorders, often recurrent, such as cystitis, urethritis, vaginitis, and candida infections, with the aim of contributing to the resolution of infections and chronic inflammations;
• • in athletes, for whom the metabolic efficiency of a balanced microbiota can be a valuable aid both in maintaining health and in enhancing athletic performance.

A stool sample is required, similar to a simple chemical-physical or cultural examination, using a specific KIT.

Thanks to the most advanced bacterial DNA sequencing techniques (Next Generation Sequencing) extracted from fecal material, it is now possible to achieve a complete and reliable identification of the intestinal microbiota. In addition to identifying the bacterial species present, we are also able to provide an overall health status of the microbiota (or dysbiosis), its efficiency in producing certain beneficial or harmful substances, the adequacy of the microbiota in relation to some fundamental functions it performs, as well as the microbiota’s susceptibility to inflammatory bowel diseases, metabolic diseases, and aging.

This results in an impressive amount of data, a true identity card of the microbiota, the Microbiopassport®.

The sequencing results and the subsequent bioinformatic and statistical analysis of the Microbiopassport® data are available about 30 days after sampling.